“Wholesalers and industrial businesses don't depend on foot traffic in the area,” he said.

Chkifati listed the spaces online as being “great for an art gallery, restaurant, nightclub or lounge.”

But those types of tenants didn't show any interest in the property, he said. He can understand why.

“Anyone opening a retail business will have a loss for the first two years, until they get a following,” he said.

It took six months to land his new tenants. He marketed the spaces himself at first, then hired brokerage firm Ideal Properties Group to handle the job because he didn't have time, he said.

The asking rent was $3,500 per month for each 1,600-square-foot space.

That's on a par with the rents that other Van Brunt Street landlords want for vacant retail spaces on Red Hook's main commercial corridor.

Before the killer 'cane, Van Brunt Street retail rents were at most $2,600 per month for food tenants, a source said.

Chkifati and co-purchaser Gabi Ballas bought their low-rise industrial building through LLCs in January for $1.365 million, city Finance Department records indicate.

The deed spells out further details: Chkifati's LLC has a 63% interest in the property and Ballas' LLC has a 37% interest.

The seller was an LLC managed by Roger Dib that had purchased it in 2006 for $1.325 million, an earlier deed indicates.

Chkifati owns Luxor Limo, which is located on Van Brunt Street. Ballas owns discount stores in the Bronx, according to online records.

There are several empty storefronts on the street, whose tenants include food-writer faves like the Good Fork (391 Van Brunt St.), Red Hook Lobster Pound (284 Van Brunt St.) and Home/Made at 293 Van Brunt St. — see related story.

Coffee shop Baked (359 Van Brunt St.) serves up dream desserts like the Brookster, which is part brownie and part chocolate-chunk cookie. Hometown Bar-B-Que (454 Van Brunt St.), which is across the street from superb supermarket Fairway, was the busiest place on Van Brunt Street when we spent a recent sunny Sunday there.

Kentler International Drawing Space (353 Van Brunt St.) has an exhibition that includes eye-catching work by Orlando Richards.

Spending spree! For Red Hook real estate.Est4te Four, the chi-chi developer from Milan that's turning iconic 160 Imlay St. into condos, is buying a fourth development site in the neighborhood, Eye on Real Estate has learned. … Full Article